Fixture for joining a handrail

ABSTRACT

A stairway system including a plurality of treads, a handrail including a fastener, and a handrail support. A fixture for joining a handrail having at least two segments.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to a stairway system including a handrail having at least two segments, and a fixture for joining segments of a handrail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stairway system constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a handrail for the stairway system;

FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of a fixture for joining a handrail;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a fixture for joining a handrail;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a fixture for joining a handrail; and

FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of a fixture for joining a handrail.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. Also in the following description, it is to be understood that such terms as “forward,” “rearward,” “left,” “right,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and the like are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Referring now to the drawings in general and FIG. 1 in particular, it will be understood that the illustrations are for the purpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention thereto. As best seen in FIG. 1, a stairway generally designated 10, is shown constructed according to an embodiment of the system. The stairway system 10 shown includes a plurality of spaced apart treads 12; a handrail 14 above the treads; and at least one handrail support 16.

The stairway system 10 may further include a lateral support 20 for supporting the handrail 14. The lateral support 20 may be a newel. One end of the newel may be connected to the handrail 14 and the other end of the newel may be anchored. The newel may be connected to the ends of the handrail 14. The newel may be vertically anchored. The newel may be anchored to a floor. The newel may be anchored to at least one tread. The anchored newel may include a bolt and a mounting column. One end of the bolt may be a wood screw for attaching to the newel. The mounting column may further include a mounting plate attached to the mounting column. The mounting plate may include a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners for attaching the plate to the floor of the structure.

The spaced apart treads 12 may include a foot support surface 22 and means for attaching 24 the foot support surface to the structure. The width of the foot support surface 22 may be greater than the depth of the foot support surface 22. The means for attaching 24 the spaced apart treads to the structure may be a stringer. The means for attaching 24 the spaced apart treads to the structure may be by wall mounting. The spaced apart treads 12 may be spaced at a uniform riser height. The uniform riser height may vary between about 6″ and 9″. The uniform riser height may be about 7½″.

FIG. 2 shows the handrail 14 for the stairway system, which may comprise at least two segments 15; a fastener 17 joining the segments, the fastener 17 having an axis 18; and a structure 19 for preventing rotation about the axis 18 of the fastener 17 of one of the segments 15 with respect to another of the segments 15. Each of the segments 15 may include an end wall 11 having a hole 13 for alignment with a hole in the other segment 15.

The fastener 17 may include at least two portions 21. One of the portions 21 may reside in one of the segments 15 of the handrail and another portion 21 may reside in another segment of the handrail 14. The portions 21 of the fastener may be complementary. In one embodiment, the fastener may be a pair of INVIS® joining elements available from Invis North America, Inc. of Irvin, Calif. which is a subsidiary of Lamello A G, CH. The fastener may be a screw, a rail bolt and/or a dowel.

The structure 19 for preventing rotation about the axis 18 of the fastener 17 of one of the segments 15 of the handrail 14 with respect to another of the segments 15 may be offset from the axis 18 of the fastener 17. The structure 19 may comprise a dowel. The structure 19 may be hidden. The structure 19 may comprise an adhesive.

FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of a fixture 110 for joining a handrail having at least two segments. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixture 110 includes an aligner 120; a base 140 connected to the aligner 120, and a take-up mechanism 150. The base 140 includes a housing 144 and a wear-resistant bushing 142. The take-up mechanism 150 also includes a bushing 152 in the base 140 for inserting a fastener to engage a face of a segment. In some embodiments, the take-up mechanism 150 includes a clamp device including a compressor. The compressor may include one or combinations of screws, cams and elastic chords configured to engage a segment of the handrail with the base 140. The fixture may be generally constructed of a thermoplastic material.

In FIG. 3, the base 140 of the fixture 110 includes a planar edge 146 (also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5). The planar edge 146 includes a portion 147 generally conforming to the cross section of the handrail segments. The wear-resistant bushing 142 of the fixture 110 may include a wear-resistant metal, another wear-resistant material, and combinations of metal and another wear-resistant material, and be removably retained in the fixture 110 with an axial clamp 141, such as a thumbscrew.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the fixture 110 showing the aligner 120 configured to substantially surround an end of a segment of the handrail. The aligner 120 has a depth measured from a front end 121 of the aligner 120 to the base 140 and is configured to receive a segment having a height measured from a bottom surface of the segment to a top surface (shown in FIG. 5). The aligner 120 includes a resilient member 128 for positioning a segment of the handrail. The resilient inner member shown in FIG. 4 is a flexible arm 128. In embodiments of the fixture, the resilient member may include a flexible inner coating in the aligner, and/or an elastic band surrounding the segment.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the fixture 10 being configured to receive both a straight segment 175 and a segment 160 having a radius of curvature of between about 6½ inches and 9½ inches. The ratio of the depth of the aligner 120 to the height of the segment measured from a bottom surface 162 of a segment 160 to a top surface 164 may be between about one and a half to about one and about one to about one and a half.

Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the foregoing description. By way of example, the fixture is shown having a particular shape to accommodate a handrail having a matching profile. However, the shape of the fixture may be adjusted, of course, to match the shape of a handrail having a different profile. All such modifications and improvements have not been included herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but may properly fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A stairway system comprising: (a) a plurality of spaced apart treads; (b) a handrail above said treads comprising: i) at least two segments, each of the segments having an end wall having a hole formed therein in the surface of the end wall and each of the holes concentrically aligned with the hole in the surface of the end wall in the other segment; and ii) a fastener received by the aligned holes joining said segments; and (c) at least one handrail support.
 2. The stairway system according to claim 1, further including a lateral support for supporting said handrail.
 3. The stairway system according to claim 2, wherein said lateral support is a newel.
 4. The stairway system according to claim 3, wherein one end of said newel is connected to said handrail and the other end of said newel is anchored.
 5. The stairway system according to claim 4, wherein said newel is connected to the ends of said handrail.
 6. The stairway system according to claim 4, wherein said newel is vertically anchored.
 7. The stairway system according to claim 6, wherein said newel is anchored to the floor of the structure.
 8. The stairway system according to claim 6, wherein said newel is anchored to at least one tread.
 9. The stairway system according to claim 6, wherein said vertically anchored newel includes a bolt and a mounting column.
 10. The stairway system according to claim 9, wherein one end of said bolt is a wood screw for attaching to said newel.
 11. The stairway system according to claim 9, wherein said mounting column further includes a mounting plate attached to said mounting column.
 12. The stairway system according to claim 11, wherein said mounting plate includes a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners for attaching said plate to the floor of the structure.
 13. The stairway system according to claim 1, wherein said spaced apart treads include a foot support surface and means for attaching said foot support surface to the structure.
 14. The stairway system according to claim 13, wherein the width of said foot support surface is greater than the depth of said foot support surface.
 15. The stairway system according to claim 13, wherein said means for attaching said spaced apart treads to the structure is a stringer.
 16. The stairway system according to claim 13, wherein said means for attaching the spaced apart treads to the structure is by wall mounting.
 17. The stairway system according to claim 1, wherein said spaced apart treads are spaced at a uniform riser height.
 18. The stairway system according to claim 17, wherein said uniform riser height varies between about 6″ and 9″.
 19. The stairway system according to claim 18, wherein said uniform riser height is about 7½″.
 20. A stairway system comprising: (a) a plurality of spaced apart treads; (b) a handrail above said treads comprising: i) at least two segments, each of the segments having an end wall having a hole formed therein in the surface of the end wall and each of the holes concentrically aligned with the hole in the surface of the end wall of the other segment; ii) a fastener received by the aligned holes joining said segments, said fastener having an axis; and iii) a structure for preventing rotation about said axis of said fastener of one of said segments with respect to another of said segments; and (c) at least one handrail support.
 21. The stairway system according to claim 20, wherein said fastener includes at least two portions.
 22. The stairway system according to claim 21 wherein one of said portions resides in one of said segments.
 23. The stairway system according to claim 22, wherein another of said portions resides in said another of said segments.
 24. The stairway system according to claim 23, wherein said portions are complementary.
 25. The stairway system according to claim 20, wherein said structure is offset from said axis of said fastener.
 26. The stairway system according to claim 20, wherein said structure comprises a dowel.
 27. The stairway system according to claim 20 wherein said structure is hidden.
 28. The stairway system according to claim 20 wherein said structure comprises an adhesive.
 29. A stairway system comprising: (a) a plurality of spaced apart treads; (b) a handrail above said treads comprising: i) at least two segments; ii) a fastener received by the aligned holes for joining said segments, said fastener having an axis; and iii) a structure for preventing rotation about said axis of said fastener of one of said segments with respect to another of said segments; (c) at least one handrail support; and (d) a lateral support for supporting said handrail.
 30. The stairway system according to claim 29, wherein said lateral support is a newel.
 31. The stairway system according to claim 30, wherein one end of said newel is connected to said handrail and the other end of said newel is anchored.
 32. The stairway system according to claim 31, wherein said newel is connected to the ends of said handrail.
 33. The stairway system according to claim 31, wherein said newel is vertically anchored.
 34. The stairway system according to claim 33, wherein said newel is anchored to the floor of the structure.
 35. The stairway system according to claim 31, wherein said newel is anchored to at least one tread.
 36. The stairway system according to claim 33, wherein said vertically anchored newel includes a bolt and a mounting column.
 37. The stairway system according to claim 36, wherein one end of said bolt is a wood screw for attaching to said newel.
 38. The stairway system according to claim 36, wherein said mounting column further includes a mounting plate attached to said mounting column.
 39. The stairway system according to claim 38, wherein said mounting plate includes a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners for attaching said plate to the floor of the structure.
 40. The stairway system according to claim 29, wherein said spaced apart treads include a foot support surface and means for attaching said foot support surface to the structure.
 41. The stairway system according to claim 40, wherein the width of said foot support surface is greater than the depth of said foot support surface.
 42. The stairway system according to claim 40, wherein said means for attaching said spaced apart treads to the structure is a stringer.
 43. The stairway system according to claim 40, wherein said means for attaching the spaced apart treads to the structure is by wall mounting.
 44. The stairway system according to claim 29, wherein said spaced apart treads are spaced at a uniform riser height.
 45. The stairway system according to claim 44, wherein said uniform riser height varies between about 6″ and 9″.
 46. The stairway system according to claim 45, wherein said uniform riser height is about 7½″.
 47. The stairway system according to claim 29, wherein said fastener includes at least two portions.
 48. The stairway system according to claim 47 wherein one of said portions resides in one of said segments.
 49. The stairway system according to claim 48, wherein another of said portions resides in said another of said segments.
 50. The stairway system according to claim 49, wherein said portions are complementary.
 51. The stairway system according to claim 29, wherein said structure is offset from said axis of said fastener.
 52. The stairway system according to claim 29, wherein said structure comprises a dowel.
 53. The stairway system according to claim 29 wherein said structure is hidden.
 54. The stairway system according to claim 29 wherein said structure comprises an adhesive.
 55. A fixture for aiding the construction of a handrail formed from at least two segments, each of the segments having an end wall to be aligned with the hole in the surface of the end wall in the other segment, the fixture comprising: (a) an aligner for receiving an end of one segment and subsequently an end of the other segment; and (b) a base connected to the distal end of the aligner for receiving a hole forming device, whereby a hole is formed therein in the surface of the end wall of each of the segments and each of the holes are concentrically aligned with the hole in the surface of the end wall in the other segment.
 56. The fixture according to claim 55, further including a take-up mechanism for securely positioning the end wall of a segment adjacent to the surface of the base prior to forming a hole therein.
 57. The fixture according to claim 56, wherein the take-up mechanism is connected to the base of the fixture.
 58. The fixture according to claim 57 wherein the take-up mechanism includes an aperture in the base for inserting a fastener to engage the end wall of a segment.
 59. The fixture according to claim 56 wherein the take-up mechanism includes a clamp device.
 60. The fixture according to claim 59 wherein the clamp device includes a compressor.
 61. The fixture according to claim 60 wherein the compressor is selected from the group including screws, cams, elastic chords, and combinations thereof.
 62. A fixture for aiding the construction of a handrail formed from at least two segments, each of the segments having an end wall to be aligned with the hole in the surface of the end wall in the other segment, the fixture comprising: (a) an aligner for receiving the end of first one segment and subsequently the end of the other segment; and (b) a base connected to the distal end of the aligner, the base having a wear resistant bushing for receiving a hole forming device, whereby a hole is formed therein in the surface of the end wall of each of the segments and each of the holes are concentrically aligned with the hole in the surface of the end wall in the other segment.
 63. A fixture according to claim 62 wherein the base includes a substantially planar surface.
 64. A fixture according to claim 63 wherein the planar surface includes a portion generally conforming to the cross section of the end wall of each of the segments.
 65. A fixture according to claim 62 wherein the bushing is formed from a wear resistant metal.
 66. A fixture according to claim 62 wherein the bushing is removable from the base.
 67. A fixture according to claim 66 further including an axial clamp for removably retaining the bushing in the base.
 68. A fixture according to claim 67 wherein the axial clamp includes a thumbscrew.
 69. A fixture according to claim 62 wherein the aligner is configured to substantially surround an end of the segment.
 70. A fixture according to claim 69 wherein the aligner includes a receiving opening having a depth measured from an end of the aligner to the base and is configured to receive a segment having a height measured from a bottom surface of the segment to a top surface.
 71. A fixture according to claim 70 wherein the ratio of the depth to the height is between about 1½ to 1 and about ½ to 1½.
 72. A fixture according to claim 62 further wherein the aligner includes a resilient member for positioning the segment within the aligner.
 73. A fixture according to claim 72 wherein the resilient member includes a flexible arm.
 74. A fixture according to claim 72 wherein the resilient member includes an inner wall coating.
 75. A fixture according to claim 72 wherein the resilient member includes an elastic band.
 76. A fixture according to claim 62 wherein the fixture is configured to receive both a straight segment and a segment having a radius of curvature between about 6½ and about 9½ inches.
 77. A fixture for aiding the construction of a handrail formed from at least two segments, each of the segments having an end wall to be aligned with the hole in the surface of the end wall in the other segment, the fixture comprising: (a) an aligner for receiving the end of first one segment and subsequently the end of the other segment; (b) a base connected to the distal end of the aligner, the base having a wear resistant bushing for receiving a hole forming device, whereby a hole is formed therein in the surface of the end wall of each of the segments and each of the holes are concentrically aligned with the hole in the surface of the end wall in the other segment; and. (c) a take-up mechanism for securely positioning the end wall of a segment adjacent to the surface of the base prior to forming a hole therein. 